My Story

I’m Jhamar Youngblood, a proud Newark, NJ native with a deep passion for entrepreneurship and educating and inspiring the youth. My journey began on the basketball courts of Newark, which led me to earn a scholarship to play for the renowned St. Patrick’s High School in Elizabeth. My dedication and hard work then earned me another basketball scholarship, paving the way for both my academic and athletic career at the collegiate level.

After completing my undergraduate studies at Monmouth and Rider University, I furthered my academic journey at Dartmouth College, where I pursued a master’s degree in Globalization Studies. This experience not only expanded my understanding of global issues but also equipped me with the insights necessary to address local challenges in my community. By applying global perspectives to local contexts, I was able to create impactful, socially-conscious solutions through activism and entrepreneurship that directly benefit the people of Newark. For example, I partnered with the Newark Board of Education to build software that provided mentorship to all public high school students and secured a $50,000 grant to develop a safety feature in one of my apps designed to protect women and teens from domestic abuse and street attacks.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve focused on developing innovative software that addresses real-world challenges. Now, I’m combining my experiences in sports, education, technology, and business to run for local office in my hometown of Newark, NJ. Growing up in the heart of the Central Ward in the Roberto Clemente building at 75-95 Clinton Avenue, I have seen firsthand the challenges and potential of our community. I am running for councilman to bring fresh energy, sensible policies, and a renewed sense of community to the Central Ward and my mission is to inspire the next generation and lead Newark into a future where opportunity and growth are accessible to all.

My Qualifications

Educational Background: I am a proud product of Central Ward’s educational institutions, having attended both St. Benedict’s and L.A. Spencer. My academic journey culminated in me studying Globalization Studies at Dartmouth College for my masters, where I gained insights into global and local issues that I am eager to apply to our community.

Youth Support Initiatives: During the pandemic, I partnered with the Newark Board of Education to develop mentoring software that provided essential support and mentorship to Newark public school students. This initiative made me realize how fulfilling it is to support our youth and address educational disparities.

Entrepreneurial Spirit: In 2018, I developed an app that was the first in Apple’s App Store to enable users to earn and spend cryptocurrency. This experience helped me build skills in leveraging technology for the benefit of the community.

Advocacy and Grantsmanship: I successfully secured a $50k grant from the city of Newark to design software that protects women and teens from street attacks and domestic abuse, demonstrating my commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations and obtaining resources for crucial causes.

Board Membership: I serve on the board of directors of The Patrick School, formerly known as the famous St. Patrick High School, renowned for its historic basketball program.

Key Themes of My Campaign

Preserving Newark’s Culture: Newark’s identity is deeply rooted in its people, history, and unique culture. To protect this identity, we must prevent the displacement of native residents by outside interests and ensure that long-time residents have the opportunity to thrive. By promoting low-income housing, stabilizing food prices, and creating career pathways for our youth, we can safeguard Newark’s culture and keep its soul intact.

Digital Transformation: Newark must embrace a modern, digital infrastructure that allows the city to respond to challenges quickly and share vital information efficiently. By upgrading our technology and streamlining communication, we can make city services more accessible, improve public safety, and ensure our government works smarter, not harder.

Promoting Civic Engagement: Civic engagement is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. By empowering Newark residents with the education and tools they need to participate in local government, we can create a more informed and active community. Together, we can make Newark a city where every voice is heard, and every citizen plays a part in shaping its future.

Transparency and Accountability: We are committed to creating an open and accountable government where residents have clear access to information about how their city operates. This includes providing transparent data on city projects, budgeting processes, and decision-making. To achieve this, we will introduce platforms similar to Checkbook NYC, which allows residents to track how public funds are being spent in real time. This level of transparency will provide detailed data on city projects, budgeting processes, and decision-making, ensuring that every dollar is accounted for.

Prioritizing Seniors’ Living Conditions: Ensuring that senior residents live in safe, comfortable, and accessible environments will be a top priority. This includes advocating for improved housing standards, providing support for affordable housing options, and ensuring that public infrastructure, like transportation and healthcare, is designed to meet the needs of seniors. We will demand that senior living facilities and residences are regularly inspected and maintained, while promoting initiatives that allow seniors to age in place with dignity and security.

Restructuring Tax Policies: We will work to restructure our tax policies to ensure fairness and transparency. This effort will begin by optimizing Newark’s budget for efficiency, using methods like Zero-Based Budgeting to ensure every dollar is wisely spent. We will also leverage technology to provide residents with clear and accessible information on how their tax dollars are being used, fostering transparency and public trust. By streamlining our budget, we can eventually implement tax reforms that ease the burden on residents while maintaining quality public services and infrastructure.

Inspiring Our Youth: We created an initiative called MESA (Mentoring, Education, Sports, Arts) to inspire the youth of Newark and equip them with the skills they need to succeed. The goal of MESA is to provide young people with the tools to go out in the world, learn, and then bring their knowledge and experience back to uplift our city. Through Mentoring, they will connect with role models who guide them on their journey. Education will empower them with the critical skills necessary for academic and career success. Sports will teach discipline, teamwork, and provide physical outlets, while Arts will nurture their creativity and self-expression. MESA is designed to inspire the youth to not only achieve great things but to reinvest in Newark, ensuring a brighter future for themselves and their community.

Providing Safety in Our Streets: We will advocate for effective community policing, enhanced street lighting, and community-driven safety programs, both digital and in real life, to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Given that Newark has the lowest car ownership rate after NYC, it’s crucial that our streets are walkable and accessible, ensuring safety and convenience for all residents.

City Innovation: We will help foster a culture of innovation within city administration to improve public services and infrastructure. Promote public-private partnerships to bring innovative tech solutions to Newark’s most pressing challenges. Encourage innovation labs and incubators that support startups and entrepreneurs focused on urban development.

Reviving the Art Scene: We will work to revive the Central Ward's art scene by supporting local artists, creating public art spaces, and fostering a vibrant and authentic cultural environment.

Business Unity for Economic Growth: By encouraging the development of local supply chains, we aim to ensure that economic benefits remain within the community, promoting sustainable growth and infrastructure for participating businesses.

The current need for renewed energy and inspiring leadership in our council has motivated me to run for office. I am driven by a vision of a more vibrant, inclusive, and proactive Central Ward. Together, we can bring new energy, sensible solutions, and a strong sense of community to our beloved city.

Join me in this journey to transform the Central Ward.